Foxing - The Albatross

It's the beginning of a new year and that time when people are filled with hope and joy and lovely feelings about the year to come and all the things they're going to achieve over the next twelve months despite not achieving anything for the previous twelve months because 'this year's gotta be my year, goddammit'. So, whilst the majority are making false promises to themselves and entering into diets they'll
have failed by next week, I've got an album I'd like to share with my perpetually pessimistic peers. Foxing's debut album The Albatross is ten tracks of slow building, subtly sad, indie leaning, emo which hits its listener like a ton of ice blocks. While it's certainly not a surprise that Foxing's debut is a good 'un - their previous releases illustrated a band on the cusp of something special - it was impossible to expect a record so irresistible.

What sets The Albatross apart from many of its peers is the confidence that Foxing have in their music. The records holds very little in common with the rough around the edges, kids in a garage sound that we largely associate with the genre. The Albatross is a beautifully produced collection with which every listen is nothing less than an experience. From "Inuit"'s swelling, goosebump creating, instrumentation to the slow, winding of closer "Quietus", Foxing are never anything less than beautiful. Even the interlude type tracks feel entirely necessary in creating The Albatross' sadly tense world.

It's when Foxing are at their most simplistic that they display their best side. Whether it's the blunt lyricism of "The Medic" or "Rory"'s sparse, sad instrumentation - Foxing have an ability to carve out a heart wrenching atmosphere with the least possible fuss. Whilst lines such as "So, why don't you love me back?" and "I just want to be loved" could be criticized for over simplification and cliché in any other context, Foxing's slow building sounds ebb and flow until it's established that emotions are simplistic - it's the places they come from that aren't. Not that we need the lyricism to be overly emotive, the vocals are desperately sad enough to fulfill that role for multiple albums. The strained yelps, roars and softly sung pleas of the vocalist give the record just enough genuineness to ensure that listeners never find themselves questioning the emotions displayed throughout The Albatross.

Foxing have a wonderful ability to convey their emotions to their audience. While, it appears that, a lot of people are fed up with the whole idea of the 'emo revival' and are writing off a lot of the records that are coming out from the current emo scene (how music runs in circles), make sure you don't let Foxing go under your radar. If you like your music to make you feel something, Foxing are a band to keep a close eye on in 2014. As for now, we've just been blessed with one of the best albums of the year that has passed. Essential record.

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Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate); sadness; not joining in in the festivities